Egyptian army takes over security ahead of vote

Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. Egypt's liberal opposition called for more protests Sunday, seeking to keep up the momentum of its street campaign after the president made a partial concession overnight but refused its main demand he rescind a draft constitution going to a referendum on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

CAIRO (AP) — The Egyptian military has assumed responsibility for security and protecting state institutions in the country until the results of a Dec. 15 constitutional referendum.

The army took up the task Monday in line with a decree a day earlier from President Mohammed Morsi.

The presidential edict orders the military and police to jointly maintain security in the run-up to Saturday’s vote on the disputed charter that was hurriedly approved last month by a panel dominated by the president’s Islamist allies.

The decree, which also grants the military the right to arrest civilians, is seen as evidence of how jittery the government is about the referendum, which the main opposition parties have rejected.

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The edict goes into effect on the eve of mass rallies called by the opposition and Morsi’s supporters.